Topic: MH&B Topaz Build - (Read 33216 times)

jpdenver · « **on:** January 15, 2017, 09:27:47 pm »

Greetings.

Last summer I managed to find an un-built MH&B Topaz kit. It took a bit to get it from South Africa to Denver, Colorado.

I then had to re-configure my shop in the garage in order to make room on the other half for my wife to park her car.

When I finally got everything ready I discovered that there were some cracks in the hull.

So before I got started those needed repair. I asked in the fiberglass section of this forum on methods of repair
and after following them, I am now ready to start.

The kit is incredibly complete. All the little extras are provided.
I started by an inventory, then I had the drawings mounted on
cardboard to facilitate being handled.

Next I started to separate the pieces and categorize them by where
they go on the boat: Cockpit, Salon, Seating Area, etc.

Here are some pics.

Thanks for reading,
Jim Pope
Denver

jpdenver · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2017, 09:31:30 pm »

A few more beginning Pics:

derekwarner · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2017, 10:13:09 pm »

Hullo Jim......will look forward to your build log

............ Derek

SailorGreg · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2017, 09:34:17 am »

Oooh, lovely! Really looking forward to this build.

Glad to see you got your hull cracks fixed. That mend should vanish under the paint and never trouble you again.

Greg

Baldrick · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2017, 01:28:37 pm »

Looking forward to watching your build with interest. . I am on the last leg with my build, rescued the Topaz kit from The States a year ago. Mine was also unmolested, fortunately no problems with cracked hull. Have found it a very interesting build . I think yours is one of the later kits, mine was an early version and the build plans left a lot to be desired , they got better on the later versions, I am down to the final fitting out of the main cabin.
It really does make a fantastic display model, visitors to our house who have no interest in model boats have been stopped in their tracks to admire it. I wonder if I will have the balls to take it down to the duck pond to steam it and get it dirty ?
Happy Building,

rhavrane · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2017, 06:02:10 pm »

Bonjour,
Topaz is a beautiful and very uncommon launch in France.
My friend Eric found one in England and equipped it with an Anton steam plant : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kifkESTY9I4
And Miles won a race of the Anton Trophy with his one : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsVbhy5EJAU also here at the beginning of the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7xt4v4QK70
I missed one, she would have had her place in my collection

jpdenver · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2017, 01:28:15 am »

So Baldrick -

Where is your build log?

If your plans were even more obscure than mine,
then you certainly must have had a difficult time.

I am finding myself hesitant to actually begin.
I keep re-reading the plans and looking at pictures
to find all the little details.

My kit came with the Anton Crystal engine, boiler and piping.
I am looking for an appropriate gas regulator as I believe in them.
I also need a good whistle - every steam launch need a whistle!!

Does anyone have a source for these items? I am familiar with the
BIX regulator, I have one in each of my other boats, are there any better?

As to the whistle - I am looking for a slimmer model than I have used in the past.
Any good sources? I will order anywhere in the world.

Thanks for reading,
I really enjoy this forum and the help I see being freely given.

Regards,
Jim Pope
Denver, CO
USA.

rhavrane · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2017, 08:37:43 am »

Bonjour Jim,
For a gas regulator, I would recommend you a double diaphragm Anton, expensive but fully reliable (I have several, but noyt filmed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovmjIvfkTw ). Benefit, French threads compliant with your plant

Alternative : Microcosm, larger : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO16806-3pM and English thread.

For the whistle, I would suggest a JMC one, I also gave several of them : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA-D4mQ3I9g

derekwarner · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2017, 09:55:00 am »

Without offering any comment, the members of a French Model boat WEB with steam affiliation have a number of individual threads on the Chinese double membrane gas regulator

http://modelismenavalradioc.nouvellestar6.com/t12936-achat-chine

In my build I have the Anton V71 regulator which is a single diaphragm unit and has been without fault since commissioning approx. 5 years ago , [not as complex as any dual membrane unit]...I understand the V71 is similar to the BIX regulator however I also understand the BIX unit has not been available for some 2 years? which is difficult to understand:o

Below is my V71 as installed, I intend to add an isolation valve on the gas discharge tube prior to the burner and also a second pressure gauge again on the discharge side of the regulator

Derek

Baldrick · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2017, 02:08:06 pm »

Quote from: jpdenver on January 17, 2017, 01:28:15 am

So Baldrick -

Where is your build log?

If your plans were even more obscure than mine,
then you certainly must have had a difficult time.

I am finding myself hesitant to actually begin.
I keep re-reading the plans and looking at pictures
to find all the little details.

Regards,
Jim Pope
Denver, CO
USA.

It's a bit further down the page from your post http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,56416.0.html
I have not posted as I progress but have a bit of a file I was holding to do a bulk upload at completion .
Don't worry, just look at the plans long enough and things will crystallise out of the fog, take them to bed to read, cures insomnia .

regards Balders

Baldrick · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2017, 03:49:56 pm »

Actually Jim I found this site a more useful resource than the MH&B plans , I commend it to you.

http://www.wicksteedparkmbc.com/martenhowes-and-baylis-topaz.html

regards Balders

Vintage · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2017, 07:13:18 pm »

Quote from: jpdenver on January 17, 2017, 01:28:15 am

So Baldrick -

If your plans were even more obscure than mine,
then you certainly must have had a difficult time.

I am finding myself hesitant to actually begin.
I keep re-reading the plans and looking at pictures
to find all the little details.

Regards,
Jim Pope
Denver, CO
USA.

I can relate to that.

My kit was one of the early ones and I found the plans confusing at times.

I think that the inability to cover up any slight errors, due to the natural wood finish, has meant that I procrastinate and keep checking that what I'm doing is correct...

It's still sitting in my workshop waiting for me to finish the cabin - does look really good though

Perhaps your build will inspire me

Good luck with it.

Mark

jpdenver · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2017, 12:57:17 am »

Thanks for all the encouragement.

I am currently considering the final hull color, and at what point do I apply it.

Leaning towards a deep green - Close to BRG. I am guessing the time to paint is after
doing all the hull-attaching-activities like the engine, boiler, and driveshaft/rudder. But before the
decking begins.

Also - I am finding all kinds of primers.
Self-etching?
Gap-filling sandable?

Not sure which to use here.

So - please feel free to voice opinions.

Thanks,
Jim Pope

derekwarner · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2017, 01:55:40 am »

Jim...I will leave the recommendations of primers & the like to other members with far more experience

Having said this, I do understand your predicament....

That deep Navy Blue looks very nice [AMNA 2016 RC 10/14 : Présentation de la chaloupe vapeur Topaz d'Eric]

However the Deep Green is absolutely stunning

Is this termed as a 'rounded reverse counter stern'?...

Derek

Baldrick · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2017, 02:35:54 am »

Hi Jim .
Hull colour is the most difficult choice, they all look good , I have done mine Ford Monza Blue. For primers the Auto Accessories shop will do a grey rattle can primer for plastic car bumpers, I used this, it went on well and sanded to a perfect finish ready for the top coat. Just be sure you de-grease the hull well . I did not paint my hull until all the deck woodwork was finished, means taking care with the masking tape. If you do get a smidgen of overspray finding its way through, hopefully only a spot or two, metal polish on a cotton wool bud will remove it.

cheers Balders

Bernhard · « **Reply #15 on:** January 20, 2017, 08:28:33 am »

This are a great looking and working whistle
https://www.pmmodelengines.com/shop/steam/steam-whistle/

and this Gas regulator
http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/bix029.htm

Bernhard · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2017, 02:32:31 pm »

https://youtu.be/m-Crbu_eeNk
Whistle and gas regulator in work

rhavrane · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2017, 07:33:30 pm »

Bonjour,
Another example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTE53aoPAJE

rhavrane · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2017, 09:47:12 pm »

Bonjour Bernhard,
Is http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/bix029.htm a gas regulator (1) or a gas expension limiter (2) ? In French we have two different words : "Régulateur" (A) and "Détendeur" (2)
I got one and did not find the screw needle to adapt the gas low flow at the choosen steam pressure ==> I thought it was a (2).
On my tug Jan, I have both of them, the regulator (1) is a double membrane and the "détendeur "(2) has its own pressure gauge : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utYZJDJPBVg

jpdenver · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2017, 04:09:03 am »

Greetings again.
Snow on the ground in Denver.
I have rigged a lamp in the garage to keep the chemicals above freezing.
The new heater makes things workable in only about an hour.

Started the build.

First to go in is the "shelf" - their words - I would call them the inwales, or parts thereof.

More to come as it goes.

Also - ordered a BIX regulator from Forest Products. Very fast response.
Still considering the Whistle. The main issue is that the piping has been
pre-configured. There is only one steam outlet, so I will have to build off of that
in some way.

Stand by for more.

Thanks for reading,
Jim Pope
Denver

Jerry C · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2017, 04:32:55 am »

If only one steam outlet then you need one of these. This has the Research Products whistle mounted directly. This stops condensate spraying everywhere as whistle always hot.
Jerry.

southsteyne2 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2017, 05:44:00 am »

Hi everyone I may be stirring a possums nest here but I have been steaming and building scratch model boats for some years now and never needed a gas regulator preferring to keep things simple furthermore in actual use ON THE WATER most small boilers need all the heat they can get and the most efficient setup is a balance between boiler pump feed and and burner, it is also my view that a model steamboat must be trialed in actual circumstances before praising one product or another

Cheers
John

ooyah/2 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2017, 10:41:32 am »

Quote from: southsteyne2 on January 25, 2017, 05:44:00 am

Hi everyone I may be stirring a possums nest here but I have been steaming and building scratch model boats for some years now and never needed a gas regulator preferring to keep things simple furthermore in actual use ON THE WATER most small boilers need all the heat they can get and the most efficient setup is a balance between boiler pump feed and and burner, it is also my view that a model steamboat must be trialed in actual circumstances before praising one product or another
Cheers
John

John,
P.M. sent to you.

George.

rhavrane · « **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2017, 12:46:52 pm »

Bonjour,

John, I can not let you say that a regulatot is not useful because at first all the steam plants have not a boiler feed pump and furthermore, choosing manually a gas pressure setup will never satisfy both needs of Movement and immobility.
Please listen to the work of a regulator, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSgIe1JsHY which justified my opinion.
My boat boilers never exceeds a pressure of 2,5 bars (for example), even if immobile a fe minutes, like it can happpen in a steam contest.
And as I say, based on my own experience, a doube membrane one is quite smoother.

ooyah/2 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2017, 06:30:49 pm »

Quote from: rhavrane on January 25, 2017, 12:46:52 pm

Bonjour,

John, I can not let you say that a regulatot is not useful because at first all the steam plants have not a boiler feed pump and furthermore, choosing manually a gas pressure setup will never satisfy both needs of Movement and immobility.
Please listen to the work of a regulator, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSgIe1JsHY which justified my opinion.
My boat boilers never exceeds a pressure of 2,5 bars (for example), even if immobile a fe minutes, like it can happpen in a steam contest.
And as I say, based on my own experience, a doube membrane one is quite smoother.

Raphael.
John is not saying that regulators are not useful but saying that they are not required, the regulator and boiler level instruments are useful but you must remember that somebody wanting to have a steam boat are not as wealthy as you with your several steam boats and all of the attachments that you have bought.
It can be rather off putting to add up the costs of all the extras that are not really required and you will learn more by having a basic steam plant and getting to know how it performs.
Like John I have built steam plants (engines and boilers ) and steam boats for many years and never have installed any of these extras as it's more fun to balance the plant without them.

George.

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Author Topic: MH&B Topaz Build - (Read 33216 times)